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Thousands gather for LA immigration protest

by AP

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Thousands of people marched in Los Angeles to protest President Trump's immigration policy on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. NBC4 screenshot

Several thousand people have rallied in downtown Los Angeles to protest President Trump's immigration policies and recent enforcement raids.

Activists marched through downtown streets and clustered near City Hall on Saturday.

Many carried signs, including some declaring "No Wall!"

One said: "Send Trump back to Bavaria," a reference to his family roots.

Police say the event was peaceful and there were no arrests.

March organizer David Abud tells the Los Angeles Times that activists want local officials to make greater efforts to help immigrants and refuse to invest resources in immigration enforcement.

Seventeen-year-old Vanessa Velasquez, who was selling hot dogs to demonstrators, told the Times her parents illegally entered the country 18 years ago and she worries they may be deported — leaving her and her younger sister behind.